Board of Commissioners - Regular Meeting

0:00 – 0:54•DVDan Vogler

is Tuesday, September 22 of 2026. We are live streaming this meeting and it's also being recorded. And we would request if you have a cell phone, please put it on vibrate or silent. We appreciate that courtesy. always begin the meeting with the pledge of allegiance then we'd ask you to remain standing for a moment of silence and this morning uh during that moment of silence if you please keep in mind uh former lawrence county treasurer robert shaper who uh served i believe for 12 years as county treasurer in the 1980s and 1990s bob passed away last week so if you please and his family and your

1:11•DVDan Vogler

We'll have a moment of silence. Thank you, everybody.

1:26 – 4:08•DVDan Vogler

Here. We do have a quorum. As we always do, we'll have two opportunities for public comment, one in just a moment or two, and then one before we adjourn. We would ask if you do have a public comment that would be related to county government matters. You're welcome to speak both times, one of the two times, or if you're just here to listen, that's also fine. And we'd ask if you do have public comments and we try to limit them to about five minutes or so out of respect for everybody's schedule. We jumped down. We don't have any grow officers in attendance this morning, so that will lead us to p

4:08•DVDan Vogler

Thank you. May I have a motion for resolution 240? And I'll second the motion. Thank you, gentlemen. If we have no other concerns, we'll take a roll call, please.

4:21 – 5:06•DVDan Vogler

Yes. Motion carried. Thank you. The final repository bid is resolution 241. This is in Lane Township. uh dylan olinger has uh submitted a 500 bid for a parcel on waltham road uh on august 6 the lane township supervisors approved the proposed bid We did not hear a response from the Elwood City Area School Board of Directors, so it comes back to us. Resolution 241. Dan, any concerns? No. Thank you. Chris? No. May I have a motion for Resolution 241? I'll make the motion. I'll second. Thank you, gentlemen. Roll call, please.

5:14 – 5:46•DVDan Vogler

Every week, most every week, we receive from the county controller's office a listing of checks that have been cut by that office, also known as the warrant register or the check reconciliation register. This particular group is dated September 11, September 16, and September 17th. I'll give my colleagues whatever time they need to look them over and once you've done so, I'd be happy to take a motion for us to accept these documents.

6:03•CSChris Sainato

I've had the opportunity to look them over. I'll make a motion to accept.

6:09•DVDan Vogler

Thank you gentlemen, if we have a roll call, please.

6:20 – 15:19•DVDan Vogler

The minutes of last Tuesday's meeting, which was September 15, these minutes are in our packet. Once again, Chris, please take whatever time you need to look them over once you've done. So I'd be happy to. i'd like them to learn to make that motion i've seen them as well and i'll second the motion i thank you both uh we'll ask for a roll call please commissioner yes commissioner yes commissioner yes thank you calling commissioner reports with comments let's see i get to go first today a couple items to bring to everyone's attention uh yesterday we received a document that will enter into the a

15:29 – 16:29•DVDan Vogler

If need be, I will be able to call and we can have a meeting. Why don't we go that route. We'll see by Thursday afternoon or Friday how things stand and then maybe we can announce late Friday whether or not there is a need for a meeting. You have to post the agenda 10 o'clock on Monday, right? Are you okay with all that? So stay tuned. We're really not sure at this point if we will be having a meeting next Tuesday. We will definitely have a meeting two weeks from now. But next week is still a question mark. We'll know the answer to that by the end of this week. So thank you for your indulgence

16:40 – 17:17•DKDan Kennedy

King, our veteran World War II veteran, was with us and I've seen Judge Cox. Wally's going to be 103 years old on Halloween. But I'll tell you what, the guy still drives and he's still sharp as a whip. He loves Jesse. We'll leave Jesse alone. Our veteran's a fair director. Jesse and I went around and gave all the veterans a pen for $250. United States. It was well-attended. So that's about all I did. And then when I played with Pina, I wrote something else.

17:17•DVDan Vogler

Well, thanks for representing us. And I've met Mr. King, and he puts us all to shame, doesn't he?

17:25•DKDan Kennedy

I told him. I said, I would have brought it, because he lives in New Orleans. And I said, Jesse said I would have came and picked you up. He said, no, I'm still driving.

17:40•DVDan Vogler

Thanks again, Dan. Appreciate you taking the time to do that. Commissioner Sabato.

17:45 – 17:59•CSChris Sainato

I'll just follow up. Unfortunately, I was away this weekend. I missed it. I think that's the first time I actually missed. I always used to do the Grand March, and just the way the scheduling fell, it didn't work out. But, Dan, you were there to represent us.

18:00•DKDan Kennedy

I didn't do the Grand March. I was out talking on the porch with Wally.

18:05 – 18:32•CSChris Sainato

There you go. I remember Wally when I was in Dr. Wilkins. I said, his 100th birthday, that parade you just had for him. That's when I first met him. I said, where is this guy at? And he was like, that's me. Because he did not look 100. Yeah. I said, where is the senior citizen at? He's like, not just me. That caught me by surprise because he looks great for his age. I hear that he's still going strong.

18:40•CSChris Sainato

I think we did a nice job on warrants by putting that on.

18:54 – 19:33•CSChris Sainato

And our message shows we're working together to make it better. And I know that Dan, you gave a nice briefing on what our plans are. leaders there and uh you know we have positive things going on in the community we have to keep going that direction and i think that's that's the that's the message i think all three of us from the county sent that meeting so that's pretty much all i have thanks chris i appreciate it oh i'm sorry one last comment i don't want to forget bob shaker i just do got to come because i met bob back in 1983 when he first ran

19:41 – 20:09•CSChris Sainato

And I stress this, he was a happy-go-lucky guy, very cordial with people. He got elected and forgot where he came from. And I long pass my sympathy to his family, like I said, because I would always work with Bob. He was just one of these fun-type guys. But he did a good job as treasurer and wishing his family the best. Thank you. Appreciate that.

20:11 – 21:10•DVDan Vogler

That takes us to new business. First one is resolution 242. This is an amendatory resolution involving the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, which is the county's lead agency for the surplus food program. Normally when we have resolutions, we ask the department or the office or the agency to come here us to ask questions these folks are based in pittsburgh and and this is a very simple amendment we are amending resolution 199 of 2021 simply to extend the expiration date of that agreement to september 30 of 2027. And Colleen, they've been emailing you, I believe, and they need us to take

21:10 – 21:21•CSChris Sainato

So we didn't want them to, especially with the price of gas right now, we didn't want them to make the trip all the way up here. I'm assuming you're both okay with that. You didn't need to have them here, I hope.

21:22 – 22:51•DVDan Vogler

uh let me see if dan has any questions thank you dan chris okay thank you and there are some supporting documents attached to this proposed resolution may i have a motion for resolution 242. i'll make that motion and i'll second thank you gentlemen if there are no other concerns we'll ask pauline to Resolution 243, last week, for those of you who either attended or watched our meeting, we opened bids for construction work, upcoming construction work at the William Humphrey Center at the former St. Joseph's facility on Newcastle's east side. We tabled the bids. mr emerson from gibson thomas rev

23:01 – 24:06•DVDan Vogler

Okay, so the references were checked into and you're coming back to us suggesting that we give favorable consideration to the lowest responsible bidders. And they are broken out as follows. The Macero Corporation based in Pittsburgh was the General Mechanical Plumbing Construction. Their bid was $2,397,000. The lowest responsible bidder for electrical construction work, and there's a typo on the resolution. It should read McCurley-Houston under item two. Now, further down, it is correct. early Houston electric based in Hickory Township, Lawrence County. They were the lowest responsible bidder

24:26•DKDan Kennedy

Now we've just got to get started. You and I are going to go out there right after this.

24:46 – 25:09•DKDan Kennedy

That was it. Amy, I couldn't say enough about her. When I ask for something, it gets done, and it's done quickly. She's a professional. All I do. Same with Joe. You know, when I need something from Joe, it's the same way. So it's a team effort, as you guys know it. And they make us all look good when we're done.

25:09•DVDan Vogler

So we thank you guys. Thank you for your comments and all your hard work, Dan. Commissioner Sonata.

26:09•CSChris Sainato

It's a win-win if we're going to save money or get a top-notch company.

26:34 – 26:59•CSChris Sainato

I talked to Alex last week, and they're very excited about the project. They're pleased that they were the low bidder, and it's actually a local company. That makes it even better. I didn't just say that, John, because it's like a lot of times, sometimes we get into a company, and the next thing you know, it's a disaster. Not for us. We've been fortunate. It's been other areas of this county that turned into not good.

27:11 – 27:37•CSChris Sainato

That's why we've always tried to do our due diligence in looking things over and making sure, because we don't want this project started. We want to get it done, as Commissioner Kennedy said. both of you for being very cooperative and helping get this thing done.

27:39 – 27:51•DVDan Vogler

Thank you, Commissioner. John and Amy, thank you both again. May I have a motion for Resolution 243? I'll make that motion. I'll second. If there are no other concerns, we'll take a roll call, please.

27:55 – 29:55•DVDan Vogler

Yes. Commissioner Perry? Yes. It's a big step. One in the right direction. Resolution 244, once again, this particular resolution is amendatory in nature. And accordingly, we didn't ask folks from either Dawn Enterprises or Disabilities Options Network to be here today because of the technical nature of this. What we're doing is we are amending Resolution 58 of 2026 that We're going to change language in this prior resolution from Dawn Enterprises to Disability Options Network. It notes that Disabilities Options Network intends to charge a $200 administration fee per grant. Approximately $3,60

29:57 – 31:41•DVDan Vogler

Yes. Resolution 245, this involves our Lawrence County Airport Authority. As with all authorities, we're governed by an ordinance that requires us to announce openings on the authorities. We have to publicly announce these openings. There are currently two openings on the airport authority, so we announced and gave people the opportunity to apply for consideration to be appointed or reappointed to the airport authority. Which, by the way, it's a volunteer position. These folks are not compensated for what they do. We received two letters of interest from both incumbents. Mr. John Natal, who re

31:46 – 32:28•DVDan Vogler

Thank you. Most of our authorities that we make appointments to, most of the terms expire at the end of December. So probably during the month of December, we'll have some upcoming openings. So we'll be announcing those openings. You'll see some of that later this year. Resolution 246 is a transfer falling under the commissioner's jurisdiction. And what we're asking to consider is a $14,000 transfer from the commissioner's contingency line item into the commissioner's material and supply line item.

32:55 – 33:11•DVDan Vogler

That makes sense. I appreciate you clarifying that. Thank you. So it's coming from the commissioner's contingency. line item of materials. Thank you very much, Joe. Mr. Sonata, any questions? Mr. Kennedy?

33:20•DVDan Vogler

Thank you. We'll take a roll call, please.

33:29 – 33:41•DVDan Vogler

Resolution 247 would take $4,529 from the commissioner's contingency into software. Who's software?

33:57 – 38:00•DVDan Vogler

Thank you for noting that. So again, this is $4,529. into the voter services software line item mr uh sanada any questions no mr kennedy no thank you i have a motion for resolution 247. i'll make that motion i'll second the motion thank you we'll take a roll call please commissioner sonata yes commissioner kennedy yes commissioner yes motion carries thank you uh we have a number of transfers and like we normally do let me enter them into the record i'll go down this list please stop me if you have a question and then we when we get to the end we can either take one motion or if you need to spl

38:00 – 38:20•DVDan Vogler

Thank you. Mr. Sonata? No. Joe, you're comfortable with these? Okay, thank you. Well, if one of you would be willing, could I have a motion then for approval of all of these transfer requests? I'll make a motion to approve them all. Thank you. I'll second. Thank you for that as well, Dan. I appreciate it. We'll ask Pauline to call the roll.

38:26 – 38:48•DVDan Vogler

Thank you. Under announcements, as far as next Tuesday's meeting is concerned, we will... have a better feel for that by Friday morning, I think, in terms of whether or not we'll have a meeting. Pauline, I'm sorry, I know you said it once before. Your deadline for accepting agenda items is 10 o'clock Friday?

38:48 – 39:27•DVDan Vogler

Okay. So we'll know by 10 o'clock Friday who needs what on the agenda. We'll also know if it's critical or if it can wait a week. Yes. And so probably... i'm going to be at a meeting friday morning i'll call you okay and uh you're going to be out friday morning too but i'll circle back to you and we'll determine if we can get mr sonata on the line at some point determine whether or not we have to have a meeting next tuesday sounds good so that's up in the air we will definitely meet two weeks from today uh it'll be the first tuesday in october uh

39:36 – 39:59•CSChris Sainato

thank you both for joining us today closing comments from my fellow commissioners mr sonata i have not i think it was a beautiful day and look forward to construction starting up at uh saint joseph thank you chris uh commissioner kenneby anything okay thank you so much i do have one point yes sir john i just want to say uh one

40:11 – 40:43•DVDan Vogler

Well, it's been a pleasure for us to get to know you and your colleagues and we appreciate Dan touched on it as well. We appreciate your professionalism. Thank you. Colleen or Joe, anything? Okay. an adjournment motion motion carried our meeting is adjourned thank you everybody let's go you'll take care of it